Steakhouse Cheddar Burger with Warm Bacon BBQ Sauce

1 lb (500 mL) lean ground beef or ground sirloin

1/4 cup (50 mL) steak sauce

Salt and fresh ground black pepper

4 thick slices Cheddar cheese

4 thick slices bacon, chopped

1/2 large onion, chopped

1 tsp (5 mL) packed brown sugar

Salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

1/2 cup (125 mL) ketchup

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1

Heat gas or charcoal grill. In large bowl, mix beef, steak sauce, salt and pepper. Shape into 4 patties; set aside.
2

In 8-inch skillet, cook bacon until browned. Add onion, brown sugar, salt and pepper; cook about 3 minutes or until onion is cooked. Stir in ketchup; cook 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Transfer sauce to bowl; cover and set aside.
3

Place patties on grill over medium heat. Cook about 5 minutes on each side or until meat thermometer inserted in centre of patties reads 160F. Top with cheese; cook 1 minute longer.
4

Place patties on bottom halves of buns. Top with warm bacon-onion BBQ sauce; cover with top halves of buns.

Do-Ahead: Patties can be made the day ahead of grilling and stored covered in the refrigerator until ready to grill. Remove patties from refrigerator about 10 minutes prior to grilling so they won't not be ice cold going onto the grill.
Substitution: For a lighter version, you can use ground turkey; just adjust the cooking time. Cook about 6 minutes on each side, turning once, until meat thermometer inserted in centre of patties reads 165F.